Rare Lizards Let Loose in Britain

Rare Sand Lizards are being released into the British wilderness in a bid to bring them back from the brink.

Once a common sight in dunes and heathlands up and down the British Isles, conservationists have been monitoring a significant decline in their numbers. In the past 100 years the species has all but completely disappeared from counties such as Kent, Devon, Cornwall and Cheshire, with only 10% of the previous numbers of sightings being noted in Surrey and Merseyside.

In a bid to ensure the survival of the now rare Sand Lizard, the next few weeks will see them being re-introduced to various locations in Surrey, Mid-Wales and Dorset. The first release of 80 baby lizards has already taken place at a National Trust Nature Reserve in Surrey, after they were bred in captivity at various locations.

The reason for their decline in numbers is thought to be related to the gradual destruction of their natural habitat, coupled with environmental issues. However, the Sand Lizard isn’t the only victim with many native frogs, snakes and newts being affected by intensive farming practices and climate changes.

A spokesman for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation told The Times: ‘These lizards needed channels of sand to lay eggs and without them could not survive. The problem was really down to ignorance, and people were not aware how best to manage these habitats and allow development on dunes and heathland’

Nick Moulton who is co-ordinating the releases added: ‘It is great to see them going back, now safely protected where they belong.’

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